Headlamps

Headlamps today are LED's attached to a band. Despite what other sites may say, the difference between headlamps is relatively small and it is the "nice-to-have" features that will lead one to choose one headlamp over another. Without further ado...

Recommended Headlamps

Black Diamond Spot ($39.95; 3.2 oz)

Nothing beats the Black Diamond Spot for its combination of brightness, weight, nice-to-have features, and price. The Spot is bright enough to hike at night, is waterproof, has a power meter, locks so it doesn't accidentally turn on in your backpack, and has red beams so you don't blind your friends around the campfire

Petzl E+Light ($29.95; 0.9 oz)

Choosing the Petzl E+Light over the Black Diamond Spot is definitely a personal preference that is almost entirely dependent on how much you plan on hiking at night. The E+Light is not as bright as the Black Diamond Spot but it is 2.3 oz lighter and definitely bright enough for walking around camp or slogging out of your tent at night to go to the bathroom. Like the Spot, the E+Light is waterproof as well